Honda Civic - Differences between models? (06 onwards)

Ren.182

Ren.182

Ren.182

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Hi all,

Looking into buying a Civic for myself, one of the newer shaped ones. (wanted one for ages now and finally going to go for it!)

Now, I've done a massive search on google and everything and I can't find any explanations for the differences between the different models. (Anything I do find is for the American models!)

So I was wondering if someone could explain to me the differences between the various models? (E.g. EX, SE, SI, Type S and Type R)

If it helps, I'm looking for a Diesel (preferably 2.2ltr) model and I have a budget of around £6000 tops (I can stretch to more if it's really worth it for a better model).

Also if anyone has any tips on things to look out for on a Civic when going to look at them please let me know. And any owners of the Civic feel free to post your opinions on the car! :)

Any help would be very appreciated!

Thanks guys!
 
Perfect! Thank you!

So do any owners have any advice for me? I have drove one in the past (I think it was a 1.8 diesel?) and it was a lovely drive! I'd just like some opinions from people who've spent more than 20 minutes in the car :P

Thanks again!
 
Would have been a 2.2 if it was a diesel - I've got one and I love it. Mine is a 57 plate EX comes kitted out with absolutely everything you could ever want, I also stuck a reversing camera on mine for about £20 and a couple of hours effort.

It's not hugely powerful for a 2.2 diesel though perfectly acceptable and revs better than any other diesel bar a bmw 6 - plus a £300 remap and you're at an easy 180bhp.

If going for an early diesel check the clutch has been replaced recently as this is a weak point - 2010 clutches onwards seem to be ok, otherwise do the usual clutch checks (4th gear and floor it from about 30mph, sit on a slight hill and try to pull away in 3rd/4th gear - it should stall quite violently)

The ride is a bit firm so if you want a lovely soft car go drive one first as it might not be for you, if you have young kids i imagine the rear doors could be a bit of a problem for access.

You only get the Type S or Type R in 3 door - they look much better but the type S asks quite a premium over the 5 door that wasn't worth it for me, they're also generally less well equipped than the equivalent EX (EX has hids, sat nav, voice commands, bluetooth, optional reversing camera)
 
+1 for the CivInfo recommendation.

1st mod.. get your Civinfo sticker on the back
2nd mod.. Gers Brake light cover

I've just loaded my FK3 (2.2 diesel) with loft loads of crap for the tip (loft is getting that free insulation) and it's mind boggling the amount of stuff you can get in there.
 
Well the last car I had was a Rover 400 1.8 diesel. So pretty much anything will be quicker than that! (Though I did love my Rover) :P

So with these clutch checks, what am I looking for when accelerating from 30mph in 4th gear?

And I like the firm ride to be honest. When I drove one a couple of months back at my previous job I really enjoyed the ride. Was nice and nippy, which was surprising from a diesel, whilst still keeping the perks of a diesel like a decent MPG.

I don't have kids or anything so the space in the back is not my number 1 priority. I do like how spacious it looks with the seats down though! I didn't realise you could lift the bases up either, which should be nice and helpful in some situations.

I'll check out CivInfo now :)

Thanks guys, think I'm going to try get a EX if possible!
 
When checking the clutch you want to make sure revs don't rise without an associated rise in speed - you'll know it if it happens, the car will sound like it's doing something but you'll feel nothing until it bites again. You want to accelerate as hard as the car will allow you up to about 3-3.5k revs
 
The clutches were a weak point for a time, just don't seem to be able to handle the diesel torque - they tried several designs but only seemed to get it right in 2010, if you do a search on civinfo you'll find the part number of the supposed "good" clutch. That's not to say the clutch will go anytime soon on a car like the one listed, really it's going to be pot luck I suspect and if it does go you'll at least get the new, stronger part.

The car advertised looks decent but I think it's probably priced a little highly given the age and mileage, for a bit of perspective I paid £1k more from a dealer (not a honda dealer) for a very late 2007 model from with just under 60k, 4 new tyres, new clutch and a stack of paperwork (had been a co car). I also know that they paid in the region of £5.7k from auction for the car. Have a look at sold prices on ebay for a good starting point then maybe have a chat with the seller about their price.

I reccomend going to see a few of them too to hear how they sound, mine makes what sounds like a tensioner / belt noise that I need to investigate - a bit of a rattle (quietish) at low revs. I need to investigate this, know someone with another civic diesel and it doesn't make the noise but I've also went to several forecourts and those cars do make it - looking on the forums it seems to be a common issue. It's certainly not getting any worse on mine but if something goes then i'll at least be able to tell you what it was!
 
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Although I don't know when mine was replaced, or even if it has been ( I've owned mine since August), it has just clocked 100k and (touches wood) the clutch is perfect.

Something they don't tell you though is that the head-unit is quite crappy and as it is a hub for everything else you need to purchase an expensive adapter from Impulse (Watford) to change the head-unit correctly.
 
That's true the head unit isn't great and on an EX it's a mare to change and keep everythign working though I suspect some replacement speakers might go a way to improving that rather than the head unit itself
 
Does the head unit play MP3's by default? Not too fussed about bluetooth or usb playback, I don't mind making CD's etc. Does look like a bugger to change though!

Sound system can be sorted down the line though, I'd sooner have a car that works well in the first place! ;)

If I do speak to the guy selling over at civic info I will try an lower the price. I know that is slightly overpriced and he's not had much interest by the looks of things so hopefully I should be able to work him down a little.

I'm going to go and see a few the weekend (hence the reason why I asked for things I should look out for) so I'll get a feel for how they sound etc then :)
 
Ren.182 said:
Does the head unit play MP3's by default? Not too fussed about bluetooth or usb playback, I don't mind making CD's etc. Does look like a bugger to change though! It does, in the EX at least

If I do speak to the guy selling over at civic info I will try an lower the price. I know that is slightly overpriced and he's not had much interest by the looks of things so hopefully I should be able to work him down a little.
I genuinely don't know what it's worth but gut instinct tells me £5.5k sounds a much better price
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Check for following:
Knocking f+r dampers.
Corrosion on door shuts and underneath the moulding around the front screen on the top.
No signs of waterleak in the boot.
If it's got a panoramic roof, check it lots!

The 2.2d is a great engine and revs well but when driving them for work they don't get as great MPG as some of the latest diesels.
 
Ok thank you. Got a couple lined up to go and see on Saturday. If I find one I like in good nick I think I shall be purchasing one! :D
 
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